Why is physiotherapy important after surgery?
We may not realize it often, but any major surgery is a big deal. It can cause patients to become weak, immobile, and in discomfort. Everyone wants to recover quickly and thoroughly so they can return to the meaningful things they like.
Doctors and patients are increasingly aware that physical therapy is one of the most crucial components of a healthy and successful outcome following surgery. Physiotherapy will not only help you heal faster, but it will also teach you how to care for yourself and return to everyday activities.
Physical therapists are well-versed in surgical procedures and post-surgical treatment goals. Most importantly, physical therapists may adapt treatments to improve a patient’s entire well-being, assuring long-term success. So now let us see why physiotherapy is so important after surgery.
Why is physiotherapy important after surgery?
Physiotherapy aims to restore, maintain, and improve patients’ mobility, function, and well-being. A physiotherapist is a professional who specializes in health and fitness, as well as physical rehab and injury prevention. Physiotherapists urge their patients to participate in their own recovery.
Doctors often recommend pre-surgery physiotherapy since it leads to faster postoperative healing, greater joint movement, and decreased edema after an initial injury.
Other advantages of physiotherapy after surgery include the following:
Helps in regaining mobility
Whether you’re an active athlete or live in a nursing home, being able to return to normal activities following surgery is critical for maintaining your quality of life. You will most certainly endure edema, and reduced range of motion immediately following surgery, as well as significant discomfort and decreased mobility.
Failure to use your joints after surgery can result in poor healing. Exercise in physical therapy will help you regain movement and strengthen the area of your body that is healing. It will also reduce the possibility of re-injury.
Increase your flexibility
After surgery, the patient is required to rest for an extended period, which results in weakened muscles that remain stiff and prone to future injury. When your muscles are tense, movement becomes extremely difficult. Gentle stretching movements after surgery will be really beneficial.
Helps balance the range of motion
Most individuals recognize that physical therapy can help strengthen a surgically treated body part. Many people don’t know that physical therapy can help a person regain their balance or move a joint or limb more freely.
For instance, physical therapy after a total knee replacement will not only help you retrain your gait on a titanium joint. It will also help you restore your balance and flexibility so you may continue to stand, walk, jog, jump, and ride a bike for years to come. Remember that physical therapy is about more than just rehabilitation; it is also about preparing you for physical activities long after you have been discharged from care.
What are the common surgeries that require physiotherapy?
Physical therapy will be different for each patient because everyone recovers at their own speed and requires various therapies. Your physical therapist is aware of this and will design a personalized physical treatment plan for you.
Finding a physical therapist who is skilled, kind, and experienced is crucial. You can quickly return to normal functioning with the assistance of a physical therapist.
Here are a few examples of major surgeries that necessitate physical therapy during recovery:
- ACL reconstruction
- Rotator cuff repair
- Meniscal repair
- Discectomy
- Intervertebral lumbar fusion
- Tennis elbow release
- Knee/hip replacement
- Achilles tendon repairs
- Lateral ligament reconstruction
How soon after surgery should you begin physiotherapy?
You can start working with a physiotherapist soon after surgery, on the same day. Depending on what kind of surgery you’ve had, your therapist can show you the right way to get in and out of bed, use mobility equipment, get dressed, and go to the bathroom.
Following that, physiotherapy will assist you in recovering and returning to a normal life. A physiotherapy exercise program will be designed to gradually develop your strength while minimizing the danger of tearing sutures or reinjuring yourself.
Conclusion
High-quality physiotherapy after surgery will let you heal faster and get back to all of your crucial daily activities. Physiotherapy should generally begin immediately after surgery in the hospital, and you should strive to continue your physiotherapy once you get home.